Culture & Community Circle Workshops

Fall 2023

Upcoming Events:

To join any of the Culture and Community Circle workshops, click on the zoom links to register.

November 2023

Native American Heritage Month - During Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the cultures, contributions, history, and resilience of Native American communities, especially that of the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose land Cuyamaca College resides.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with the Library’s rich collection of eBooks and streaming documentaries about Native and Indigenous voices. Browse the Native and Indigenous Stories collection online.

Veterans Week - (November 6, 2023-November 15, 2023) - During Veterans Week, we celebrate and honor the contributions, history, and resilience of U.S. Veterans. For more information and resources, visit the Veterans Center website. Happy Veterans Day!

Celebrate Veterans Day with the Library’s extensive collection of eBooks and streaming documentaries about Veteran voices and stories. Browse the Veteran Stories collection online.

Transgender Awareness Week & Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2023) -During Transgender Awareness Week, we celebrate the contributions, history, and resilience of the Trans community. On Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we honor and remember all the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25, 2023) - On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we create awareness of the fact that violence against women occurs in the U.S. and worldwide, and that it is a human rights issue. Visit the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence website for ways to get involved and learn more.

Olmec Society

November 2, 2023

6:30 to 7:30 pm

Presented by: Javier Gozalez-Meeks

The Olmecs were the first major civilization in Mexico, and their culture had a profound impact on the development of later Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Maya, Aztec, and Zapotec. The Olmec are known for their monumental sculptures, including the colossal heads, which are some of the largest and most impressive stone sculptures ever created. Come learn about their culture and continued legacy.

Join the Olmec Society Zoom event.

Veteranos & Valor: The Filipino Experience in the US Military

November 7, 2023

9:00 to 10:00 am

Presented by: James Diokno

The Filipino community is one of the largest ethnic groups in the San Diego region. A large reason why they are here is because of the U.S. Navy. Since the days of U.S. Colonization of the Philippine Islands over a hundred years ago, Filipinos have been a highly visible presence in the U.S. military. This workshop and presentation will shed light on why and how Filipinos have been an integral part of the U.S. armed forces. Discussion will center on the role of the Philippines as a colonized territory in this phenomenon, as well as the economic factors driving this tradition.

Veterans Wellness Workshop

November 7, 2023

12:00 to 1:00 pm

Presented by: Nicole and Manmeet Kaur

Learn about how mental health can affect Veterans and the difficulties in reintegrating back to civilian life. Personal counselors will introduce signs of stress and anxiety, and different coping strategies.

Yellow Ribbon Workshop: Veterans Week

November 8, 2023

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Location: Cuyamaca College, VRC 1-113

Presented by: Daniel Mendoza

Are you interested in transferring to a private university but have concerns about the cost to attend? The Yellow Ribbon Program is used in combination with your GI Bill education benefits and can help offset the cost of tuition for a private university. Attendees will learn about local universities that offer the program and eligibility requirements.

Disability Workshop: Veterans Week

November 9, 2023

TIME: TBA

Location: Cuyamaca College, VRC- I-113

Presented by Khalifa Kovu

Are you interested in learning more about the VA Disability rating system and how it can benefit you or someone you know? Join us for an informative session that will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the support available to Veterans. Discover how this knowledge can empower you to make informed decisions about your future.

Queer Student Center Grand Opening

November 14, 2023

12:00 to 2:00 pm

Location: Student Center, 1st Floor (I- Building)

Join us for a ribbon cutting and celebration of East County’s dedicated space for the LGBTQIA2S community. Free food will be provided.

America Discovers Columbus: Inventing Latin America

November 14, 2023

2:00 to 3:00 pm

Presented by: Instructor Fuentes

This presentation focuses on self-identification and the epistemology of terms and labels used to describe the "New World." At the end of the presentation, attendees have a better sense of the origin of terms used in the process of self-identification.

Honoring the Transgender Day of Remembrance: Supporting and Affirming the Transgender Community

November 16, 2023

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Location: Queer Student Center (Student Center, I-107)

Presented by: Evan Johnson, TransFamily Support Services

In recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance, join TransFamily Support Services for a conversation that will help to provide some additional education and understanding of the transgender and nonbinary community.

Open Mic

November 16, 2023

12:00 to 1:30 pm

Location: C-119

Presented by: Karen Marrujo & the Creative Writing Club

Share your voice by taking the mic or just drop in to listen or make new friends.

Kumeyaay Village Clean Up Event

November 17, 2023

9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Location: Location Kumeyaay Village (Behind A Building)

Taught by Kumeyaay Elder and Cuyamaca faculty, Dr. Stan Rodriguez

Join us as we learn how to build traditional dwellings, tend to native plants, and prepare the land for controlled burns this winter!

International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women

November 17, 2023

12:00 to 1:00 pm

Presented by: Tasneem Alhomsy and Manmeet Kaur

Join us for a powerful and enlightening event as we stand together to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At Cuyamaca College, we recognize the urgent need to address this global issue within our own community. We invite our campus community to unite in solidarity against gender-based violence. Together, we will raise awareness, ignite conversations, and foster a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and respected.

Transgender Awareness Week and Day of Remembrance

November 28, 2023

12:00 to 1:00 pm

Presented by Nicole Jannesari and Vicky Nguyen

Join us for a supportive and compassionate workshop in observance of Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance. This workshop is designed to foster awareness, understanding, and support for the transgender and gender diverse community. This workshop welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, including allies, educators, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of transgender issues.

Open Mic
November 30, 2023
1:00 to 2:00 pm
Location: Outside the C Building
Presented by: Karen Marrujo & the Creative Writing Club
Share your voice by taking the mic or just drop in to listen or make new friends.

Beyond the Performance of the Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement
December 1, 2023
11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Presented by: Ethan Banegas

The presenter will share anecdotal data that suggests colleges and tribal governments need to take action to address equity for reservation Indians
Location: B365 or Zoom: https://gcccd-edu.zoom.us/j/85677920860

Videos:

College Hour - The Sounds of Blackness

Spring 2023

Dissecting Equity: The Legacy of the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement

Presented by: Yaa Faraji

Women’s History Panel

Presented by: Moriah Gozalez-Meeks, Instructor, Cuyamaca and Marissa Salazar, Instructor, Cuyamaca College

Women Mentoring Women: Mentoring and Fostering Relations are a Key to Your Success

Presented by: Dr. Kimberely Fletcher, Instructor, SDSU